Correlations

Question 1

What is a correlation?

Answer 1

A correlation measures the relationship between two variables (co-variables).

Question 2

What are co-variables?

Answer 2

The two variables being measured in a correlation to see how they relate to each other.

Question 3

What is a positive correlation?

Answer 3

As one variable increases, the other also increases. (e.g., more study hours → higher grades)

Question 4

What is a negative correlation?

Answer 4

As one variable increases, the other decreases. (e.g., more absences → lower grades)

Question 5

What is a zero correlation?

Answer 5

No relationship between the variables; changes in one do not affect the other.

Question 6

What does the correlation coefficient (r) show?

Answer 6

The strength (Weak/strong) and direction (pos/neg) of a correlation, using values from -1 to +1.

r = +1 mean?
Perfect positive correlation.

r = -1 mean?
A: Perfect negative correlation.

r = 0 mean?
A: No correlation.

r is close to 0?
A: The correlation is weak.

Q: What does it mean if r is close to ±1?
A: The correlation is strong.

Question 7

What is a scattergram used for?

Answer 7

To visually represent the relationship between two variables.

Question 8

What is a correlational hypothesis?

Answer 8

A prediction about a relationship (not a difference) between two co-variables (opertationlised)

Question 9

Strneghts of correlational studies

Answer 9

Can be used to show trends where experiments are not possible (see paragraph)
Ethical because variables are not manipulated
High ecological validity - real life
High reliability - easily repeated
Can be used as a pilot study to allow for further research

Question 10

weaknesses of corretaitonal studies?

Answer 10

Cannot show a causal relationship (see paragraph)
Low validity because variables must be operationalised and this is not always possible
Other variables